For emergency repairs only, do you think it'd be worthwhile to loop a pair of stainless steel hose clamps around both sides of a broken leaf while they're still in the pack? Lots of parts stores carry large enough clamps to do the job, and I think they'd keep the pieces in the stack well enough to prevent a sidewall puncture or worse.

For emergency repairs only, do you think it'd be worthwhile to loop a pair of stainless steel hose clamps around both sides of a broken leaf while they're still in the pack? Lots of parts stores carry large enough clamps to do the job, and I think they'd keep the pieces in the stack well enough to prevent a sidewall puncture or worse.

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Duct tape/bailing wire/hose clamps, sure it's practical & common sense enough, only issue would be human nature meaning that if this were done, i think too many would get too comfortable with it & just put it off or not think about it at all, but i think you've got a great idea there, we can't be held with the responsibility of making sure people follow thru on repairs/replacing. So I'd say thats a nice addition to the other random crap we drag along for the "just in case" situation.....

I just used some 3/8" bolts from Lowes... Rounded off the end of the bolt on the bottom side of the spring. Buy a full threaded bolt longer than you think you will need and cut off the excess.

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Couldn't have said it better Daniel, thanks for spreading the RIGHT info, & thats great I don't always have time to answer questions or even get online sometimes & they back up, so when the information is given as long as its right I dont care who tells it, so feel free to clue people in on this MOD in my absense, theres a couple other members that provide this service for me as well....

Couldn't have said it better Daniel, thanks for spreading the RIGHT info, & thats great I don't always have time to answer questions or even get online sometimes & they back up, so when the information is given as long as its right I dont care who tells it, so feel free to clue people in on this MOD in my absense, theres a couple other members that provide this service for me as well....

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I figured you had answered this question a few times in the last 100 pages or so, so I thought I would throw it out there .

I finished my install of the Dakota springs this past week, but I haven't gotten a chance to post any pics.

Haha - the results are surprising. I got a lot more than I bargained for. I'll post details with some pics when I am back home next week.

New Taco owner and new to TW. I've read every post...took me a couple of days...fantastic thread, nice work with this mod! Easy question because I don't recall seeing this addressed at all...is this a suitable mod for a brand new Taco? Obviously my springs aren't sagging yet, but I'm researching for lifts and this appears to be THE BEST way to achieve a functional long-lasting lift without spending hundreds for an inferior product.

Else, I've seen every possible question answered at least 10x over! Props to you and the others who have been helping out the community here...world-class effort!

New Taco owner and new to TW. I've read every post...took me a couple of days...fantastic thread, nice work with this mod! Easy question because I don't recall seeing this addressed at all...is this a suitable mod for a brand new Taco? Obviously my springs aren't sagging yet, but I'm researching for lifts and this appears to be THE BEST way to achieve a functional long-lasting lift without spending hundreds for an inferior product.

Else, I've seen every possible question answered at least 10x over! Props to you and the others who have been helping out the community here...world-class effort!

Thanks,
-Russ

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Welcome
I don't see any reason not to do this on a brand new truck. It's a great lift, great DIY project and lasts a long time. Unless you have the money and was to buy brand new expo style leafs.

ok Doug I put the springs in I bought from you. not only did I not get any lift, it sits a 1/2" lower than the stock springs I took off (non tsb). I didn't bother putting the front lift on don't want a bro lean.

I always paint my springs after I scale them with a cutoff wheel first to take off the big stuff, the usual rusting that takes place turns into solid deposits at some point when moisture is present, that shit has to go !! After de scaling the top/bottom of leafs, I always make a couple passes down the sides (the thin part of the leafs) from end to end, then I wire wheel them do a last inspection & paint... Look at any new leafpack, you'll see their painted through & through, I'm no different so whereever you got that info about paint cause gaps between leafs is B.S., your going to have gaps on any spring that has anti squeak pads on the ends, & no paint is going to cause cracks haha someones fucking with you I think Devin... just hang on a bit we'll get you straightened out....

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Great! That was my thinking about the gap between leaves and okay so I have a stock leaf pack with many miles on it and NO TSB but an AAL, and I want to take on of my leaves as a donor when I put the other pack on. How do I cut it to be ~3.75" shorter if I don't have any cutting tools?

I guess I could give two leaves to my buddy and mark them off, he's an apprentice welder at a local pipe shop.

Any other suggestions? Also my leaves are FLAT does that matter that the arc probably won't match?

measured it again today looks like it settled a little more im about 3/4" lower than the stock springs. have to pick up the camper this weekend looks like I have to ask my brother to borrow his ford. im never going to hear the end of this one.

measured it again today looks like it settled a little more im about 3/4" lower than the stock springs. have to pick up the camper this weekend looks like I have to ask my brother to borrow his ford. im never going to hear the end of this one.

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I read your other post about doing this mod and losing height. Crazy!

What was your process exactly? Did you keep the toyota main leaf and replace with 2 OMD leafs?

Finally got my springs in. The donor springs were from a 1996 Dodge Dakota. I only added 1 donor leaf to my stock pack. I was shooting to just get my Tacoma back to stock height, but I got a lot more than I bargained for.

I think I ended up with over three inches. The good news - they ride fantastically. They are night and day more comfortable than the trashed stock springs. Now, I guess I need to do something about the front.

I have just one question - could I pull out the overload leaf to bring it down some?

Finally got my springs in. The donor springs were from a 1996 Dodge Dakota. I only added 1 donor leaf to my stock pack. I was shooting to just get my Tacoma back to stock height, but I got a lot more than I bargained for.

I think I ended up with over three inches. The good news - they ride fantastically. They are night and day more comfortable than the trashed stock springs. Now, I guess I need to do something about the front.

I have just one question - could I pull out the overload leaf to bring it down some?

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Looking good.

Yes you can, that'll drop you ~1'' and not change ride or towing capability.